Kristian Dowling Compares fast normals on Steve Huff

[leicashot]

Most of my shots were in focus. Steve chose the samples to show, not me. Those 100% crops he showed were shot around minimum distance and I just did not have the time to focus bracket to ensure accurate focus all the time.

When it comes to focusing an M, I can assure you, I sorta know what i'm doing, and many of those shots were taken in a rush, and only 1 frame.

Unfortunately, no matter how hard I try, I can't please everyone

A couple of comments:

1) Kristian's shots are out of focus. And the DOF of fast 50s being "so thin" is a poor excuse. Normal short teles (85 or 90/2) have a thinner DOF and are harder to focus, and many of us use these routinely. Since using digital, he could chimp, had a model that he could ask to move, etc., not exactly a "decisive shot" scenario ....

2)



Agree. I'm a firm believer that the fast Mandler lenses are made for general purpose medium to far distance, journalistic type shooting. Even though everybody talks about wide open bokeh at close focus when "testing" them, in these conditions, they all develop swirly bokeh, veiling flare, etc. Dirk: the strength of the Summilux v2 at f1.4 is contrast, center resolution and lack of coma at far distances ....

3) Want a fast lens for hand holding in available light ? Get the 35/1.2. Beats anything Kristian tested due to the wider FOV. DOF is easier to handle, too.

4) Want to get close for portraits, etc ? Use a 75/1.4 with 0.7m min. focus. Wine bottles, etc., help 🙂

5) Mike: I still cann't believe you didn't let me play with your 50/1.2. Found that old shot of you using the 50/1 ....

Shot with a slow 21/4, BTW 🙂

Roland.

 

[cam]

Wow, it's been a while since I've been here, and nice to see people are enjoying it. I know it's not the greatest article but I did the best with the time I had, I can assure you. Would have loved to do some night work too. Cheers guys

thank you, again, Kristian.

it would be great if you could do some nighttime shots with the Monochrom, with a comparison of lenses you own (or have at hand). i know you have some fast ones in your arsenal, even if they're not the same focal length.

thank you!

 

[leicashot]

thank you, again, Kristian.

it would be great if you could do some nighttime shots with the Monochrom, with a comparison of lenses you own (or have at hand). i know you have some fast ones in your arsenal, even if they're not the same focal length.

thank you!

I may have access to these lenses some time soon so I'll see what I can do. Right now I have the Nokton 35/1.2 II as usual and the Rigid Summicron. May have access to some of those lenses soon. Without a doubt, the two Hexanons are extremely special and my favorites in the review. I wouldn't really use the 1956 V1 for color though. But in Monochrome it is gorgeous with the right light to make it's personality sing. The V2 is a no compromise legend that delivers. On the Mononchrom these lenses perform better than they ever have, on any camera.

 

[cam]

I may have access to these lenses some time soon so I'll see what I can do. Right now I have the Nokton 35/1.2 II as usual and the Rigid Summicron. May have access to some of those lenses soon. Without a doubt, the two Hexanons are extremely special and my favorites in the review. I wouldn't really use the 1956 V1 for color though. But in Monochrome it is gorgeous with the right light to make it's personality sing. The V2 is a no compromise legend that delivers. On the Mononchrom these lenses perform better than they ever have, on any camera.

thank you! i would be quite happy to even see the two lenses you mentioned right now -- at night, on the Monochrom... you've been tempting me with the 25/1.2 for long enough, lol! as for the Cron, is that a Rigid you're talking about? seriously, i would love to see some night images from both.

and i agree that the Monochrom *does* seems to bring out the full characteristics of older lenses! i think i may actually prefer them to the newer, but i'm still in the very early days... (speaking of character, i actually think i may have preferred the earlier Hexanon -- it seemed more dreamy wide open.)

 

[menos]

Thanks Kristian for taking the time, preparing this and sharing the outcome!

Some very, very special lenses there, and yes, night shots we all want to see ;-)